Policy@Manchester Articles

Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues

Policy@Manchester Articles: Archives
Tag Archives for: "productivity"
You are here: Home / Archives for productivity

Transport and logistics during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sheena JohnsonLynn Holdsworth By and Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

While the majority of the population is urged to stay at home, the country is relying on the transport and logistics sector to maintain the delivery of goods, and most importantly food and medical supplies, which have seen a substantial increase in demand. People working in the haulage industry are identified as key workers given […]

What COVID-19 tells us about the value of human labour

Debra Howcroft By and Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, a radical reassessment of what is considered ‘key work’ has taken place. For many key workers, however, this status is not reflected in their salary, employment rights, or social perception. Here, Abbie Winton and Professor Debra Howcroft, from the Work and Equalities Institute, discuss the disproportionate risk/reward equation […]

Power from the sun, money from the crowd: community energy offers low-cost finance for renewables

Tim Braunholtz-Speight By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, Urban Posted:

The fall in the cost of renewable energy has created new possibilities for citizen investors to fund community energy projects. However, the majority require some level of price support. In this blog, researchers from The University of Manchester call for policies to support the growth of this sector, such as encouraging the purchase of community-generated […]

Profiting from pandemics: COVID-19, changing routines and cyber crimes

Photo of Dr David Buil-GIlBlack and white headshot of Prof Nick Lord By , , , and Filed Under: Digital Futures Posted:

The COVID-19 crisis is driving changes in the routines of institutions and individuals, as businesses, educational institutions and other organisations recommend or require employees to engage in social distancing in a collective attempt to minimise the spread of the virus. As well as having global socioeconomic effects, these changes in routine create opportunities for crimes. […]

Fathers and care

Helen Norman By , and Filed Under: All posts Posted:

In this blog, Dr Helen Norman, Professor Colette Fagan, and Dr Nina Teasdale examine the political and economic influences which dissuade involvement in childcare by fathers. They explore what might encourage greater involvement, and suggest ways to embed this in local and national policy. National policy focuses on helping mothers rather than fathers to adapt […]

Ethnicity and gender in the Greater Manchester labour market

Ruth Lupton By Filed Under: All posts Posted:

While male employment levels are roughly equal between ethnicities, women from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to be employed than their white peers. Here, Professor Ruth Lupton explores the reasons behind this disparity, and how policy and data-based approaches can help address it. Around 75% of white men are employed, while for the larger […]

Striving for gender balance in the IT industry

Debra Howcroft By Filed Under: All posts Posted:

Early computing was dominated by women, most often working as machine operators. Since the 1970s, however, they have been side-lined by the tech industry, replaced by higher paid men. Professor Debra Howcroft critically examines the increasingly gendered environment within the IT sector, and offers solutions to encourage women to return to the industry they played […]

Can we ‘level up’ transport infrastructure across the UK?

Diane Coyle By and Filed Under: Budget, Devo, Growth and Inclusion Posted:

Professor Diane Coyle and Dr Marianne Sensier have recently conducted research comparing transport infrastructure projects that have used HM Treasury’s Green Book. In this blog they argue that this methodology, alongside political prioritisation of projects in and around London, has reinforced existing success in wealthy, already highly productive parts of the UK. Future infrastructure investment […]

The gender pay gap in Greater Manchester: What it tells us and what it doesn’t tell us about gender equality

Jill Rubery By Filed Under: All posts Posted:

The gender pay gap is considered a key indicator of gender equality as a whole. Here, Professor Jill Rubery breaks down the data behind local and national pay disparity, and offers policy based solutions which positively affect both male and female workers. The narrower gender pay gap in Greater Manchester, compared to England as a […]

Gender and occupational segregation in Greater Manchester

Francesca GainsAnna Sanders By and Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Growth and Inclusion Posted:

Within the Greater Manchester region, the highest paid roles are typically dominated by men. In this blog, Anna Sanders and Professor Francesca Gains break down the gender ratios within several key sectors, and offer solutions to increase gender parity across the region. Men are concentrated in higher-paid occupational sectors. Two-thirds of managers, directors and senior […]

Become a contributor

Would you like to write for us on a public policy issue? Get in touch with a member of the team, ask for our editorial guidelines, or access our online training toolkit (UoM login required).

Disclaimer

Articles give the views of the author, and are not necessarily those of The University of Manchester.

Policy@Manchester

Manchester Policy Articles is an initiative from Policy@Manchester. Visit our web site to find out more

Contact Us

policy@manchester.ac.uk
t: +44 (0) 161 275 3038
The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK